Jackson Pollock Gimmick

Yeah! I loved this comic. Apparently I am not the only one out there that is confused by the popularity of Jackson Pollock. I have cardboard acrylic palettes that look exactly like his paintings. Did you see he has a stamp out now? Oops I spilled a can of paint....I mean, WOW I created art. Sheesh.

But I digress. The comic did give me a good belly laugh, mainly the Pollock part,but the gimmick comment did make me pause.

My character Signore Greve has been very popular. I did cautiously branch out into bookmarks and small drawing pads with his image pedaling across. The question is at what point does it become over the top. It is art and I don't want to lose that but the little items help pay the bills. That is more important then ever. The economy has forced many of my artist friends to get cubicle, Dilbert jobs. (shudder,shudder) Greve has helped me squeak through month after month.

It was good for me take a step back and think this through. Greve makes people smile and I love that about him. His character really has no limits, he will never run out of places to go and things to enjoy. I guess that's my answer. Keep the gimmicky items to a minimum but keep Greve and Celli moving. They fit perfect on a drawing pad and bookmark. On school folders, bedsheets and little boys underwear....not so much.

Is It Art?

I sit on the board for the Girdwood Center of Visual Art and this question comes up often. We will have a artist interested in joining the co-op gallery and will present their art for review. Here is where it gets complicated. Is it art or is it craft? I probably tend to be one of the toughest judges. It's important to me to stay true to what a gallery represents, ART! Not that a craft item can't be creative or interesting. But being 'craft' it belongs in a gift shop or the like. But who decides?

Here is a bigger question, who decided Jackson Pollack was an amazing artist? NOT ME! For those of you without an art background who have ever looked at his work and thought,"Isn't that just splattered paint?" The answer is YES! If you have every looked at his paintings and thought, " I think I could do that." The answer is YES you could! Would I complain if someone who controls the art world looked at my work and said, "By Jove it's brilliant!" Of course not. Maybe Jackson did the same thing. Did he go to bed and night and snicker that his splattered paint became worth millions...maybe.

Attached is a photo of work that confuses my definition of art and craft. This was created by Lance Lekander. I love his work and even have one of his serigraphs hanging in my house. Lance is without a doubt an artist. His work is clearly art. But recently he began making these creatures. The first one I saw in a gallery and HAD to have my very own monster. I called Lance and placed my order for a Portugal Fishermonster. A few weeks later I had Chique to call my own. Chique and Sal ( the fish) greet me every morning from the bookcase in my bedroom. In it's simplest definition it's a stuffed animal right? But it is so creative! Is it art? Shouldn't it be craft? I am glad I don't have to sit on a jury for that one because I would be tainted by my love for Lance's work and his amazing creative ideas. I do know that if Lance and Pollack were in a paint off Pollack would have to leave shame faced and Chique and I would be smiling in the stands.